Isaiah9 -- Startling Similarities To America Today

Despite all the gloom in the land, God tells Isaiah to proclaim that the land will be made great.  That was to happen when Jesus was born, grew up, and ministered there.  Its spiritual darkness would be broken by the light of His word.

I saw something in verse 3 that I believe reflects poorly on America:  “God, You have caused the nation to grow and made the people happy, and they have shown their happiness to You.”  Similarly, God has caused our nation to grow and prosper, yet over the last half century it seems that our society has not shown their happiness to Him.  Instead, like ungrateful children, we have mocked Him and as a nation tried to remove His influence from government.

Isaiah was given very clear references to Christ, for both His First AND Second Advents, letting us know what it will be like when He returns.  God’s motivation for seeing that all this is carried out is His strong love for His people, despite our sins.

Isaiah was told that the northern kingdom of Israel, in their sinful pride and arrogance, would threaten to rebuild more gloriously than before, my commentary said.  “But the Lord was still angry; His hand was still raised to punish the people” (not raised in mercy).  Their plans would be for naught.  They would find no satisfaction spiritually, and their country would not prosper until they returned to Him in repentance.

Father, our nation so resembles that description today – stuck on itself, sure of itself, and thinking that by marginalizing You, it is somehow becoming kinder and more humane!  Your Word says that those who do not return to You will be cut off – the older leaders and important men, and the prophets who speak lies – those who lead the nation in the wrong direction.  God, please cause our leaders to heed this.  Let them understand that You are God and they are not.  As You did back then, remove them if they fail to honor You.  Then lead the nation as You desire.

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford